Hord Coplan Macht designed a new residence hall at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Leake Hall adds much needed student housing beds for the ever expanding needs of students who want to live on campus as part of their experience. The new building accommodates 200 students with dynamic common area spaces on the first floor, a black box theater, artist studios, multifunctional space, as well as a tiered lecture hall.

The tight, urban site is located within an existing neighborhood. The project also had to be designed, built, and ready to open in 15 months.

Leake Hall is contextual to the Bolton Hill neighborhood while embracing a more modern aesthetic that is found in some of MICA’s newer campus buildings. To meet the tight schedule, Hord Coplan Macht approached this project as if it was for a multifamily developer, employing market rate design solutions that better met the owner’s needs. Not only did Leake Hall open on time for the fall 2013 semester, but it did so well under the initial budget estimates.

The sustainably-designed building is certified under the Baltimore City Green Building Standard.